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Wheel life in focus, Czech liberalisation moves forward, Haramain line to open in 2018, Maglev progress as Japan debates economic benefits of high speed rail

Scandinavia

Competition comes through measured reformsNext year sees the start of passenger liberalisation in Norway, along with the abolition of Jernbaneverket and the creation of a new Railway Directorate. Nick Kingsley reports from Oslo

Västlänken project to reshape Göteborg commuter networkAn underground loop with three new stations is set to transform suburban services in Sweden’s second largest city from 2026

Advanced TMS will improve operating efficiencyAs part of its Signalling Programme, Banedanmark is introducing an advanced traffic management system to underpin service planning and real-time train operations

Communications

A journey towards the future Research is underway to develop the next generation of railway communications technology, which will enable operators to enhance their capabilities, explains Michael Mikulandra

Offline offload could speed CCTV transferPassengers and onboard staff could be incentivised to allow their personal devices to be used as temporary storage for CCTV data

Depots & workshops

Keeping the vandals at bay Arlanda Express operator ATrain AB has installed a video surveillance system to deter crime and vandalism at its depots and stations

Ore car workshop ready to openA highly automated workshop near Port Hedland to overhaul BHP Iron Ore’s wagon fleet and wheelsets is now in final commissioning

Servicing the Frecciarossa fleetTrenitalia is investing €20m to expand its high speed train servicing facilities in Milano

In focus

A delicate recovery on the Emerald IsleIreland’s national railway is slowly returning to growth following the country’s severe economic downturn, but recovery is bringing a capacity challenge and underfunding leaves IE facing an uncertain future, as CEO David Franks explains

Double-tracking takes priority The Thai government is funding a programme of seven schemes as it seeks to enhance speeds and capacity on SRT’s metre-gauge network, Deputy Director, Special Projects, Kumpol Boonchom tells Peter Janssen